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External monitor flickering Macbook 2016

I have a Macbook 2016 and both an Apple USB-C to Multi AV-HDMI adapter and a LogiLink USB-C to DisplayPort adpater.

I'm trying to use a Dell 3008WFP monitor as an external screen (maximum resolution 2560x1600 @60Hz) with my MacBook, but that doesn't seem to work well.

The monitor often goes blank after a short time ("power-saving" mode) or only occasionally displays an image and then goes blank again. Using a LogiLink USB-C to Displayport is a bit more stable then the Apple adapter, but also often experiences the same problem.

On a smaller Samsung 1920x1080 monitor the Apple Multi AV adapter seems to work perfectly fine, but on the Dell it isn't stable (using HDMI at 1920x1200 resolution, as the Dell only supports higher resolutions over DVI or DisplayPort).

The adapter is updated to the latest 2.33 firmware. Is there a problem with my (just new) MacBook? Or is this a software issue? Is there  a work around? Anybody have a good experience with the MacBook at 2560x1600@60Hz on an external screen?

Hello Schendstok,

Thank you for using Apple Support Communities. 

I understand from your post that you are trying to use an external display with your MacBook, but the monitor is showing a blank screen. I like using external displays with my Mac too. I recommend reviewing the following article to verify if everything meets the system requirements and for some additional troubleshooting steps: 

Get help with video issues on external displays connected to your Mac

Best Regards

Thanks for the link.

I tried the points above, but these do not make a difference.

But I did find a way to make it work using the Apple Multi-AV adapter.

For some reason setting the displays to mirror mode (optimised for the Dell) in "Displays -> Arrangement-> Mirror Displays" solves the problem. When in mirror mode the output is stable (but often I still need a second try connecting the monitor before it is correctly detected). If mirror mode isn't enabled the external screen keeps flickering.

So I suppose it is a software issue and not that my MacBook or Multi-AV adapter is defective. Or do you think I should have my Macbook hardware checked at an Apple store?

Mirror mode is fine for me, but it is stilll a bit annoying. If it is a software problem, how should I report the bug?

Schendstok,

You can run a diagnostic on your Mac without having to take it into an Apple Store. Restart your Mac and immediately after you hear the start-up tones, press and hold the D key on the keyboard until you see the diagnostic begin. This article has some additional information about the diagnostics: 

Using Apple Diagnostics

Cheers

I ran a diagnostic. No Issues found.

So I think it is a software issue.

The external screen option is perfectly work-able in "Mirror Displays" mode. I wanted to use it that way anyhow (30 inch is large enough).

I even got the MacBook to work in 2560x1600@60Hz on the Dell! Using an active HDMI to DisplayPort adapter from DeLock (that supports 4k). Sadly still the same issue with not being stable (when not in mirror mode)

I am having similar issue on the 2016 MacBook,

but not the 2015 MacBook,

I would say it's either driver or hardware issue.

I have the same random flickering problem. I am running an external display 3440x1440 @50Hz. If I boot the machine with the monitor attached then it works perfectly all day. It seems to only happen after sleep mode. Therefore, I hope it can be fixed via software update....

I have the same issue.

It might be radio frequency interference problem between USB 3.0 and 2.4Ghz Wifi.

So, I'm turned off my wifi and using usb RJ45 ethernet. It doesn't flickering anymore.

My coworker and I recently purchased 2016 MacBooks to use for work, and external monitors and docks to go with them. We both experienced this major, unacknowledged issue- but thought it might be related to the monitors or docks rather than the MacBooks. However once I got home, using a different monitor and the official Apple multiport adapter I have the same result.

Another symptom I experienced was a prompt to install a USB-C update almost every time I plugged in the adapter or dock. It didn't seem like the update ever properly installed.

Usually I reboot, and this makes the problem disappear (also pointed out by user tom-ch). Hopefully somebody inside Apple realizes this is an issue and gets us some steps to rectify it- other than rebooting our machines every day (like cave men! )

I'm also experiencing this issue with the 2016 macbook. I facilitate meetings in four different conference rooms every day each with different tv monitors I use a external displays. Each monitor experiences a different issue (flickering, not working at all, intermittent blank display). I have tried the Apple multi-adapter and a CableCreation USB-C to HDMI adapter but both have issues. This is definitely something hardware or software related for the computer. I'm hoping a USB-C update will eventually resolve this.

Hi Schendstok & Darren (specialist),

Please take a look at our discussion of the same problem which many of us are experiencing:

Macbook 2016 HDMI output flickering

Regards,

Ken

Diagnostics show nothing abnormal- this is a hardware or software issue with the new MacBooks in general. Mine has it, my spouse's has it, my coworker's has it. Others in this thread have this issue as well. I honestly can't say I've ever seen a MacBook without this problem. It is a very serious issue which affects my productivity every single day, and it warrants a real response from Apple.

I have a similar problem with my MacBook Pro with toucher 13 inch late 2016 (just got it)  constant flickering every with a samsung 28 inch 4k monitor using - genuine Apple Multiport adaptor and HDMI.  I updated the software for the Mulitport Adaptor and tried both left and right USBC ports.   Monitor is running at 30Hz

Hoping someone may know what the issue is or provide inside as to a monitor that will not have these issues.

So, I hope this is helpful, my apologies if not. But I had the same problem with identical symptoms using the same adapter only with a Samsung 4K monitor. My resolution? I was using a pre HDMI 2.0 cable. Swapped to a HDMI cable built in 2014 to the new spec. Issue solved.

I know not all the monitors in question in this thread are 4K, but I figured with so many old HDMI cables floating around out there that weren't built to work with more recent displays, it's worth a shot.  Often I don't even think of troubleshooting the simplest part of the equation, first.

I was experiencing screen flicker (white fuzzy screen) intermittently and seemed to have found the issue

Background: I did try changing HDMI cables, changed the Thunderbolt port the Apply USB-C adapter was plugged in to, switched power outlet the Samsung power adapter was plugged in to and reseated all plugs and adapter - didn't fix the flicker issue

My setup is:

MacBook Pro late 2016 15" w/ Touchbar

External monitor - Samsung UE590 UHD 4K 28" 2015 model

Connected via Apple USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter

The monitor has 2 inputs HDMI 1 and HDMI 2

For some reason when I plugged in to HDMI 1 port on my Samsung monitor my MacBook set the resolution to 1920x1080, set at this resolution I would experience the intermittent screen flicker. I did not realize my MacBook had set the resolution to 1920x1080. As a "hale merry" at my wits end I moved the HDMI cable from HDMI 1 to 2. When I did that the external screen immediately stated the native resolution was 3840x2160 and my MacBook automatically set the resolution to 3840x2160.

Now that the MacBook output Resolution is set to the native 3840x2160 of the external monitor, so far, I have not experienced the screen flicker a single time

If for some reason your MacBook does not automatically switch the resolution to the native external monitor resolution, just click the Apple icon and select System Preferences, Display and click the 4 boxes to get to as close the native external screen resolution you can

Hope this helps someone

最后更新：2017-10-18 09:07:02

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